Chapter 72
Chapter 72: Misunderstanding Resolved
After hearing Funis’s request, Michelle showed no displeasure or impatience. She simply wrapped her arms around Funis’s slender waist and tilted her head slightly upward in thought.
“But we don’t have that much time, little dream demon.” After a while, Michelle looked down at Funis again, her eyes filled with worry and distress. “The murder case at the Westine Manor has taken too many personnel, and today of all days, something like this happened in our patrol district—if we can’t show results and progress, the factory owners will definitely pin all the blame on us in the end.”
“It sounds like the situation is quite severe…” Funis smiled awkwardly.
So this was the cause of the earlier argument between Michelle and Arnold.
It wasn’t that the Temperance Institute could solve this case—the Temperance Institute had to solve this case.
The council members who held grudges against the Church would find all sorts of reasons and excuses to squeeze the branch’s living space in Gray Cloud Fortress, and Joseph couldn’t completely control their opinions.
“I promise I won’t tell Charlotte about the dream demon secret, but in return, you have to agree to some conditions of mine.” Michelle suddenly turned the topic back to Funis.
“Eh? Con… conditions? Will they be too much?”
Funis’s delicate arms were propped against Michelle’s shoulders as she continued struggling backward to avoid falling directly into this woman’s embrace.
Compared to the cold and gloomy demeanor when she first revealed Funis’s identity, Michelle now appeared much gentler, never making any overly aggressive moves—just hugging and holding.
But when the word “conditions” appeared, Funis still couldn’t help but shudder and become alert.
Could it be that Michelle appeared to be such a proper career woman on the surface, but her private hobby was to first coerce innocent young girls into verbal agreements, then use those agreements as leverage to subject them to all sorts of inhumane treatment?
In this way, innocent young girls would not only suffer physical pain but also be constantly told “this is what you agreed to,” bearing additional mental trauma.
How terrifying.
“Don’t be so tense, little dream demon.” Michelle enjoyed watching Funis’s panic, her tone relaxed. “I just hope you’ll let me hold you and pat your head like this in the future. After all, Celia’s body is so soft and fragrant—more comfortable to hold than a cloth doll.”
“Just this?” Funis couldn’t believe it.
“You seem a little disappointed?”
“No, no, not at all. I’m just surprised.” Funis shook her head frantically.
She could have done more excessive things but chose to stop here—was Michelle being too much of a gentleman, or had her own thoughts become corrupted, naturally assuming her fate would be to bend over and… squirt?
It was all Cynthia’s fault! She was no longer pure!
“You’re already an agent of the branch. As my subordinate, helping the branch director relieve stress counts as part of your duties, right? Besides, this isn’t without benefits—I control your salary and rank.” Michelle lifted Funis’s chin.
Hidden rules.
Pure and simple hidden rules.
Funis never imagined she would one day have to sell her beauty for promotion. For a former Seraph-class enforcer who had climbed to the top through her own strength and determination, this was nothing short of utter humiliation.
“Please keep this secret from Sister Charlotte too, or she’ll definitely misunderstand.” Her voice was barely a whisper.
“Of course.” Michelle smiled happily, seemingly quite enjoying this feeling of secretly enjoying Funis behind Charlotte’s back. “But don’t forget your actual job, Agent Celia. That’s also one of the conditions.”
Great, just because she exposed herself as a dream demon, she had to serve as both a toy and a laborer, and she couldn’t even complain. Michelle got all the benefits.
The topic had come full circle, and this seemed to be what Michelle really wanted to say. Perhaps Funis should be grateful that work still took priority in this woman’s mind.
“I understand. One week—can you give me one week? If possible, assigning me an enforcer would be even better.” Funis sighed helplessly. “But I want to inform Director Michelle in advance to prepare yourself—this case might not be as simple as it appears.”
“Mm, I have a feeling.” Michelle pinched Funis’s cheeks, instantly breaking the serious expression the girl had worked so hard to maintain. “Thank you for the warning, little dream demon.”
Unexpectedly, she released Funis, gently setting her back down onto the black tiles.
“Joseph will probably send a council representative to file the case in a day or two—that’s when the official investigation can begin. But if you want to visit the scene early, that’s allowed. I can issue you a permit and process temporary agent identification.” As if she had suddenly lost interest in Funis, Michelle turned around to efficiently organize the scattered case files on her desk, describing the work content with considerable urgency. “Since this is your first case, partner with Charlotte. She’s perfectly qualified to guide newcomers, and since you live together, communication will be more convenient. If you encounter difficulties requiring backup, I’ll consider assigning other enforcers and agents. Most personnel are still with the Westine Manor serial murder task force and would need to be temporarily reassigned—”
This strange attitude shift came and went quickly. Funis almost thought the earlier experiences were all illusions, that Michelle had always been this focused on work and never harbored any ulterior motives.
“Ms. Michelle, no… Director Michelle, about that…” She couldn’t help but interrupt Michelle.
“What is it, Agent Celia?” Michelle turned around with a puzzled expression. “Is there something else?”
Funis was momentarily speechless, as if she were the abnormal one.
She looked at Michelle.
The unconsciously furrowed brow, the slightly drooping eyelids from fatigue—worry and exhaustion constantly tormented this director of the Gray Cloud Fortress branch. No one knew how long it had been since Michelle had gotten proper rest.
Funis truly suspected Michelle had developed some form of split personality from the overwhelming workload, urgently needing a psychologist for diagnosis and treatment, or perhaps finding an appropriate way to release stress.
She was, after all, a junior she had once cared for. Funis couldn’t bear to ignore it.
“Besides all this, isn’t there anything else you’d like me to do? Like…” Funis felt awkward, unable to complete her sentence, covering her skirt and fidgeting for a long time.
Michelle was stunned for a moment, then burst into laughter.
“How can there be such an inexperienced little dream demon? I thought your kind would be more assertive and proactive.” She stopped her work, smiling faintly at Funis. “This weekend, accompany me to a coffee shop. I’ve had my eye on that place for two or three months.”
Such a mild request, but at least Michelle maintained her image as an “honest person.” The witch’s judgment of people was always accurate.
Today was only Tuesday. Funis calculated and realized she could even squeeze in a trip back to the Golden Rose during these few days before the case filing review.
But for now, she remained Agent “Celia” of the Temperance Institute—that lively, adorable, considerate, gentle, understanding, angelic girl.
“I’m happy to serve you, madam.” She curtsied.